Legendary Indian footballer
Indian football is currently facing significant headwinds, highlighted by the national team’s slide to 138th in the
A Call for Unity Amidst Structural Challenges
Addressing the ongoing decline, Chhetri acknowledged that the national team's recent performance has been a primary factor in its falling world ranking. He noted that players, including himself during his tenure, must accept their share of the accountability for matches that were lost but should have been won. However, he insisted that the solution does not lie in isolating any single entity, whether it be the All India Football Federation (
The 42-year-old former skipper warned that continuing the cycle of mutual blame will only lead to further stagnation. Instead, he advocated for a collaborative approach where every participant in the ecosystem contributes to the necessary improvements. While maintaining an optimistic outlook for the future of the game, Chhetri clarified that this does not mean ignoring the systemic issues that require urgent attention and debate.
Looking Ahead to High-Profile Friendlies
The national team is currently preparing for a series of high-profile international fixtures, a move that has sparked debate following the decision to withdraw from the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup. India is set to face Panama in Bengaluru on September 26, followed by marquee matches against five-time world champions Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The team is also scheduled to undertake a tour of New Zealand for two additional matches.
When asked for his perspective on the current national setup and the upcoming high-profile friendlies, Chhetri maintained a distance, noting that since his retirement from international football last year, he is no longer involved in the team's internal operations. He reiterated that the way forward requires all stakeholders to perform their respective roles effectively, emphasizing that there is no shortcut to progress in the sport.
